[karach123]

My wife was off loaded from Lahore Airport by Pakistan International Airlines while she was going to fly to London. The airline officer at the airport said she would need a transit visa even though she was going to connect from London to Los Angeles. My wife had an immigrant visa stamp on her passport for US valid until October 2014. She had lost her green card a month ago; however, she got another immigrant visa stamp on her passport prior to leaving for Pakistan from US.

When I told the officer this, he told me that my wife could not even fly over UK's airspace without having a transit visa. When I searched later on UK border's website, based on the information I provided, the site replies that those Pakistanis who live in US generally need a transit visa. I read this as not mandatory requirement of a visa and something that an individual can discuss with an immigration officer upon arrival.

Finally, PIA actually checks the visa status of its passengers before issuing a ticket. They asked only for a valid passport and the US visa stamp which was valid until October 2014. When I approached PIA with this information, they replied that I had actually told them that my wife's green card would arrive before she would travel from Lahore to London. This is absolutely untrue and when I wrote back to them they have not replied yet. They are distorting facts and lying about it which is unacceptable.

My wife was stranded at Lahore airport for about 10 hours and flew back to Islamabad from where she flew back to US two weeks later and I had to purchase another ticket worth $1100 for her.

Kindly let me know how can I get PIA's attention to this matter.
Sincerely Yours

[A320FAN]

Originally Posted by karach123

My wife was off loaded from Lahore Airport by Pakistan International Airlines while she was going to fly to London. The airline officer at the airport said she would need a transit visa even though she was going to connect from London to Los Angeles. My wife had an immigrant visa stamp on her passport for US valid until October 2014. She had lost her green card a month ago; however, she got another immigrant visa stamp on her passport prior to leaving for Pakistan from US.

When I told the officer this, he told me that my wife could not even fly over UK's airspace without having a transit visa. When I searched later on UK border's website, based on the information I provided, the site replies that those Pakistanis who live in US generally need a transit visa. I read this as not mandatory requirement of a visa and something that an individual can discuss with an immigration officer upon arrival.

Finally, PIA actually checks the visa status of its passengers before issuing a ticket. They asked only for a valid passport and the US visa stamp which was valid until October 2014. When I approached PIA with this information, they replied that I had actually told them that my wife's green card would arrive before she would travel from Lahore to London. This is absolutely untrue and when I wrote back to them they have not replied yet. They are distorting facts and lying about it which is unacceptable.

My wife was stranded at Lahore airport for about 10 hours and flew back to Islamabad from where she flew back to US two weeks later and I had to purchase another ticket worth $1100 for her.

Kindly let me know how can I get PIA's attention to this matter.
Sincerely Yours

It is your responsibility to look up what travel documents you will need via timatic. The other option, is contacting the embassies of your destination and intended transit. you have your self to blame for not doing your homework

[karach123]

I have two issues about my post.

One I am not sure if my wife needed a visa, when the UK website states, generally a visa is required, which means it is not mandated. My wife has previously transited via London without a UK visa. Second, why does an airline checks the visa status before issuing the ticket. It appears that the visa was checked to ensure that the traveler could travel. I am a frequent traveler and would have no problem being off loaded by an airline that does not check the visa status of their passenger.

[A320FAN]

Originally Posted by karach123

I have two issues about my post.

One I am not sure if my wife needed a visa, when the UK website states, generally a visa is required, which means it is not mandated. My wife has previously transited via London without a UK visa. Second, why does an airline checks the visa status before issuing the ticket. It appears that the visa was checked to ensure that the traveler could travel. I am a frequent traveler and would have no problem being off loaded by an airline that does not check the visa status of their passenger.

Keep in mind transit agreements between
countries are changing. Yes the airlines are
required to ensure you have proper visas
and transit documents to ensure the pax
are not deported from the 1st point of entry
into another country. The deportation
can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Quite frankly I need my retirement and other
benefits, instead of mulling around for work.